Whether you’re coordinating a corporate lunch for 15 or hosting a bridal shower for 30, when it comes to menu planning, a little food for-thought, goes a long way. Of course, if you have the extra time you can prepare the food from scratch, or if you’re like most hosts, you’re reading this post because your fridge is empty and you don’t have time, and you need help.

Deciding to hire a professional caterer to provide all, or supplemental food and beverage items is a great way to save time during the planning process, but it’s also an insurance policy that on the day of the event, everything will go according plan.

Purposeful Event Planning

Start by considering the purpose of your event. Thinking about the why, who, when and where will provide a blueprint throughout the planning process and help you stay on budget. During this preliminary stage determine:

What type of event are you hosting?

How many guests are expected?

If the event formal or casual?

What will guests be doing?

What location will provide an ideal setting to create the appropriate atmosphere?

What time food service is most appropriate?

Do you want to use china and glassware, or disposable serving pieces?

What is your total event budget?

What portion of your budget will be spent on décor, food and beverage, and entertainment?

Photo Credit: Rosena Usmani

Menu Planning

Professional caterers offer a variety of service levels that can range from convenient delivery and pick up menusto full-service. Typically, for smaller events such as birthdays, social parties, graduations, funerals and office or business luncheons, delivery and pick upoptions will provide a wide range of food choices at a less expensive price point than that of a full-service event.

During the menu creation step, take the time to learn about your guests and any specific theme or dietary restrictions they might have. Tailoring the menu to your guest’s expectations and your intended event purpose will achieve a unique menu mix that ensures everyone is happy and full.

Look to your caterer to assist with quantifying food amounts, creating the food service timeline and offering creative suggestions for menu and presentation enhancements. Brainstorm the following questions with your caterer:

How much food do you want provide? Is the expectation lunch, light bites or a full meal?

Guest dietary restrictions?

Food safety guidelines including time food will be displayed or served.

Based on the overall event agenda, what will the flow be for food service; will guests arrive all at once, or trickle in?

Are you providing supplemental food and beverage, or will your caterer provide everything?

What is your food and beverage budget?

How To Set Up A Buffet Table

If you have opted for delivery, pick up or to make your own food then you will need to consider where and how to set up your buffet display. The size, shape and direction of your buffet line will depend on the room, numbers of guests and food items.

Start by considering the relationship between the food table, bar/beverage table, and guest seating within the room. Ideally, food and bar/beverage will be presented on separate tables, so that guests may easily replenish with minimal waiting. This preliminary step will help define the overall flow for how guests will serve themselves and ensure no bottleneck areas.

Place plates and rolled silverware at the beginning of the buffet line. Then arrange food items in the expected order that a person typically eats. This is simply, hors ‘d oeuvres/appetizers, bread, salad, sides and then entrees. If you are planning to place deserts on the same buffet, than naturally go at the end. Voila!

Photo Credit: Rosena Usmani

Buffet Planning Tips:

It goes without saying, but start with a sturdy table.

Strategically place receptacles for trash around the room and close to the food and bar/beverage tables.

Write a list of appropriate serving utensils needed for each item and purchase a few extras, or have your caterer provide.

Consider a small plate for holding serving utensils next to food items in a chaffing dish or container with a lid.

The Winthrop Barn Theatre is a departure from the average barn, and it was the ideal venue for Amanda and Thomas’ romantic spring wedding! Nestled in the town of Brandon, just outside of Tampa, the Winthrop Barn Theatre is spacious and absolutely charming.

Amanda and Thomas’ big day was nothing short of perfection – delicious food, great company, and a picturesque setting made the night one to remember by all. The barn’s ceiling lights twinkled down on the wedding festivities, and the décor’s subtle hues and clean lines were effortlessly elegant.

The first thing that comes to mind with Karina + VJ is WOW! They’re a match made in heaven who knew how to wed in style! Their color scheme of eggplant and burnt orange popped so perfectly at The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg- it really was a stunning affair. They met with their personal Puff ‘n Stuff Catering Special Event Planner, Lauren Balden, to handcraft a menu that would showcase their style and personality; and boy did they knock it out of the park! With delicious items such as mini waffles topped with hazelnut butter and pecan crusted chicken drizzled with old fashion syrup to Jumbo Prawns stuffed with fresh lump crab meat & finished with lime buerre blanc guests were raving all night long. Scroll below to see the rest of their mouthwatering menu and photos from the evening of Amore Dulce.

We’re so proud to announce the Tampa Bay NACE Board for 2013-2014! We’re absolutely thrilled for our very own Special Event Planner, Kelly McVeigh, who has been awarded the prestigious secretary position! NACE is the oldest and largest professional society that addresses all aspects of the catering industry.

From practical tips that you can use to provide better service to clients, to recognition and marketing programs that enhance the credibility and professionalism of the field, NACE is on the cutting edge. From educational programs to standards, to ethics, to legislative monitoring, NACE leads the way.

Allow us to introduce the newest addition to the Puff ‘n Stuff Catering Family – The Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa! This Puff ‘n Stuff Catering exclusive venue has a prime location, situated in the heart of downtown Tampa and overlooking the Tampa skyline. Believe us – it’s a view you have to experience for yourself! This new and modern cultural attraction has 53,000 square feet of unique and beautiful space that is available for weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, cocktail parties, and any other event your heart can dream up.

Whether you’re stopping by to check out the private third floor, outdoor terrace overlooking the Tampa Skyline, or just want to experience the entire venue, be sure to say hello to our Special Event Planner, Kelly McVeigh – she’s incredible! Kelly says, “My number one favorite thing about the Museum is the view. When you are standing in the event space, you can see all of Downtown Tampa, the river, and the University of Tampa which are pretty spectacular sites. The event space here is a pristine blank canvas, so clients can decorate however they desire.”

Today we are featuring an event so big, it took over part of Downtown Tampa! The Special Event Gala Awards have been held every year since 1986 to honor the biggest stars in the special events industry. This year, a team led by Mark Wells of Hello Florida took The Special Event to the next level with “Restaurant 20.12.” The event team, including Puff ‘n Stuff Catering, worked together to concept and design an evening centered around unique and fresh cuisine served in a fully-functioning “pop-up” restaurant. Preparation for the event included setting up development plans with the City of Tampa, and working with some great vendors to construct Restaurant 20.12 in Cotanchobee Fort Brook Park adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center. This completely unique and temporary venue was a two-story enclosed tent that housed two kitchens, a stage for the band, as well as accommodations for 580 guests. The interior of Restaurant 20.12 showcased chic decor, beautiful floral arrangements, cool lighting, very modern tables and chairs, and amazing talents that entertained the guests from the center stage.

Catering to the special events industry is no small order, and Puff ‘n Stuff Catering provided five courses with multiple table-side selections for guests to indulge in! Superb plates on the restaurant menu included Classic Cioppino Fresh Seafood Stew, Sweet Pumpkin Ravioli, and Wild Mushroom Rissotto with a Roasted Marrow Bone, just to name a few. After the entrees, upscale cheese plates were served to tables followed by a delicious Maker’s Mark cake for dessert!

The Special Event Gala Awards was an exciting and successful event, and it took seven full days to build the restaurant and bring everything together! Throughout the night, guests were treated to live music performances, exotic dancing, and some truly uncommon spectacles…this night would have made the Rat Pack glad to attend! Scroll below to see some pictures from the night, the full menu, and an exciting video chronicling the steps that made Restaurant 20.12 come to life!

Today we are featuring Christine and Scott’s wedding held at The Palmetto Club. The couple’s elegant style and decor was a perfect fit for The Palmetto Club’s beautifully manicured gardens and gorgeous ballroom. From start to finish, their special day was impeccable!

Great weddings are all about thoughtful details that show the couple’s personality and their care for their guests. Christine and Scott surprised their guests by replacing traditional centerpieces with beautiful and differently flavored cakes. Their guests couldn’t wait to find out what flavor was at their table. Before the “big reveal,” guests made their way to the delicious buffet that Christine and Scott, with the help from our Special Event Planner Aymee Brace, hand-selected for their family and friends to indulge in. Another special element that we loved about this wedding is the way Christine and Scott integrated their children into the wedding ceremony; it was the perfect start for their new lives together. Christine and Scott’s wedding was stunning, and we’re so happy to have been a part of their special day!

Justin turned two, and to celebrate his mother organized this amazing themed birthday party! Justin’s birthday had everything a two-year old could ever want – a petting zoo, balloon maker, a swimming pool, and a birthday buffet of his dreams. And to ensure everyone had something to enjoy, this shindig featured two buffets: one for the kids and one for the adults.

The kids feasted on their favorites such as animal-shaped grilled cheese’s sandwiches; and the adult’s had their own decadent buffet with goat cheese lollipops, farmer’s bread bowls, pulled pork sliders, and racks of succulent BBQ ribs. In keeping with the theme, the food was displayed in a barnyard style! The fresh seasonal fruit salad was served in an adorable watermelon bowl carved as a pig, food was served out of pails and baskets, and to top it off they even drank out of boot shaped glasses! Justin loved his Barnyard Birthday cake with mini animal cupcakes, and a pasture of cake pop cows and chickens in wheat grass. Look below for more barnyard fun!

Today we are featuring Kajal and Mark’s wedding held at the T Pepin’s Hospitality Centre. T Pepin’s was the perfect venue to accommodate all of the unique, beautiful decor and festivities for this breath-taking day. This exotic wedding was absolutely stunning from start to finish, including both a Hindu and Christian Ceremony.

The grand celebration began in the ballroom with the Christian ceremony followed by the Hindu ceremony. To further the guests enjoyment, Mango Lasi’s, a delicious mango drink, were served during the Hindu ceremony. After the ceremonies concluded, guests made their way into the foyer for cocktail hour where they were greeted by the Puff ‘n Stuff Catering staff who butler passed a delicious selection of hors d’oeuvres. After mingling with friends and family, guests made their way back to the ballroom to join Kajal and Mark in the joy and excitement of their special day. Champagne was poured, and toasts were made in honor of the newly wed couple. The highly anticipated dinner buffet menu was an incredible specially fused menu featuring fare from both cultures. Following the exquisite dinner, Kajal and Mark cut the cake, and guests enjoyed authentic Indian desserts throughout the rest of the lively evening. Kajal and Mark’s wedding truly was remarkable in every detail and we were so thrilled to be a part of their celebration!

Today we’re featuring an elegant Southern Belle wedding that took place at the Barrington Hill Farm in Dade City, FL. This beautiful venue sits on 50 acres of lush rolling meadow and gives home to many stallions and racing horses. Barington Hill Farm is a unique venue, it’s home to horse shows and clinics, but what makes it really stand out and shine are the beautiful weddings it hosts.

Outside of the two story plantation house, guests crowded around the dance floor and enjoyed hors d’ouevres and cocktails provided by Puff ‘n Stuff Catering while they watched the Bride and Groom have their first dance. Proceeding the cocktail hour guests made their way into the main dining room of the farmhouse. The room was filled with natural wood chairs, floral designed linen and pastel blue mason jars on each table to hold a bouquet of flowers. Our team set up a hand crafted slider station and guests lined up to fill their stomachs with this scrumptious entree! The night ended sweetly as guests nibbled on our traditional key lime pie. A perfect ending to such a charming wedding.

Buenos Dias! And welcome to the Puff ‘n Stuff Catering blog! Today, we are showcasing a fun-filled Latin-themed wedding rehearsal dinner at the Dali Museum in St.Petersburg, Florida.

To kick off this event guests enjoyed an over-the-top cocktail hour with Puff ‘n Stuff Catering’s custom mojito and sangria bar. Signature cocktails including mangos mojito and sparkling black cherry mojitos were displayed buffet style in large glass cocktail dispensers, pre-mixed for instant satisfaction. Cuban-themed hors d’ouevres were butler-passed by our team, who were all wearing large handlebar mustaches in honor of the museum’s namesake. They had a blast sporting the Dali mustaches and dressing to the theme, as did the guests who were also invited to join in the fun.

Today’s real event is the romantic vintage-inspired wedding of Kelsey & Greg! The bride chose to hold her wedding and reception in the very place where she grew up. Filled with memories of her family, their special day created countless new memories with her newly expanded family and added character that no other venue could duplicate. The ceremony took place on the back lawn of the estate accented by pink floral arches lining the aisle, a waterfront view of the Gulf of Mexico, and a perfect sunset backdrop while the couple wed.

Following the ceremony, guests were escorted into the tented reception space which was beautifully adorned with floral vines and sparkling lights running up the walls and lining the tent ceiling. Large floral chandeliers filled the room with candlelight as Puff ‘n Stuff Catering served signature rosemary-infused lemonade and elegant hors d’oeuvres.

Soon after, a live band took the stage and got the party started! Guests were given silly glasses, stick on mustaches, glow in the dark wands, and other fun favors to make for an interesting night. After dancing up a storm, guests settled down to enjoy some of Puff ‘n Stuff Catering’s newest creations presented in fanciful chef bars. Following dinner the couple cut into their cakes and had a sweet ending to their fairytale day.

S’mores Outdoors Crunchy graham crackers held by an old fashioned wooden clothespin, dipped in decadent melted chocolate then swirled in creamy marshmallows and finished by being flame-toasted before your eyes

Have you dreaming about planning a romantic wedding in Tuscany or a glamorous affair in New York, but woken up to a local wedding reality? Well, we’re happy to share that you can have a fabulous wedding in your hometown that feels like it’s in a land far-far-away…without breaking the bank!

Central Florida and the Tampa-St. Pete areas are home to numerous venues that lend a destination vibe without the destination price tag. Local venues not only reduce travel expenses for you and your guests, they can reduced your stress level and be perfectly transformed to resemble the exact destination that you wished for. Today we would like to share some of our favorite local “destination” venues in hopes they can make your wedding vision come true!

The Big City
With Broadway lights and stunning glamour, New York has a place in everyone’s heart. The Mezz, a Downtown Orlando venue, has the bright lights, chic design and city-scaped floor-to-ceiling windows to bring a New York themed event come to life!

Las Vegas, NV
Adventurous and modern, Heaven Events Center is the perfect venue for a Las Vegas style event. Filled with glitz and state of the art technology like LED lighting and HD TVs, this locale close to Central Florida’s attractions is sure to keep guests thrilled just like the fast city of Vegas!

Travel Back in TimeThe Ballroom at Church Street offers elegant Victorian style in the heart of Downtown Orlando with large detailed stain glass windows, double grand staircases, and spacious ballrooms. If you yearn to celebrate in classic style, this space can be decked to fit any fairytale wedding!

Tuscany, Italy
Couples longing to venture into Italian wine country for their big day need only to travel to Sarasota’s Powel Crosley Estate. This large stone mansion is surrounded by beautiful gardens setting the scene for a breathtakingly charming and romantic wedding.

Tropical ParadiseParadise Cove offers a lush, tropical backdrop for a scenic waterfront wedding. Nestled near Disney’s Lake Buena Vista area, Paradise Cove’s thatched-roof and open-air patio, beach front bars and sandy shores will make you feel like you’re miles away from the city!

Latin Locales
If you seek venue rich in cultural history with a latin flare, The Cuban Club in Ybor City is a must-see. With its large ballrooms, theaters and open-air space, this space can transform a party into an exciting, fun-filled fiesta!

Here is a little ’60s infused inspiration for your Tuesday! We had fabulous opportunity to partner with Divine Light Photography and several other Tampa/St. Pete wedding pros to create this retro Mad Men inspired wedding at the Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach.

Already featured on Style Me Pretty, this fanciful day will hopefully get your creative juices going and take you back to a cooler era. Check out the gorgeous images and video from the shoot, and read on for the details on our throwback comfort foods and clever treats.

Happy Monday! Today we’re bringing you the beautiful spring wedding of Nikki and Chris at Tampa Bay Watch. Situated on the scenic shoreline of Cunningham Key, their ceremony was held on the venue’s spacious waterfront lawn set with palm trees, mangroves and crisp white chairs. The picture-perfect setting on the Gulf of Mexico created a gorgeous sunset backdrop as the couple said their “I do’s.”

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed wine and classic hors d’oeuvres on the wrap-around terrace and a delicious family-style dinner inside the window-lined main hall. And to make the evening even more exciting – they were also celebrating the bride’s grandfather’s 90th birthday! To honor him, the couple requested a special cake table filled with hand-crafted decorative cakes just for the occasion. Read on to see pictures of their special day and beautiful menu!